Medical marijuana survey shows split results

HUBER HEIGHTS — Both sides of the medical marijuana debate in Huber Heights likely found data to support their position after the results of the city’s surveys were released late last week.

The phone and online surveys were conducted as the Huber Heights City Council enacted a six-month moratorium in July after considering – and rejecting – a change in zoning that would have cleared the way for a marijuana cultivating facility on Kitridge Drive.

The survey revealed that residents are nearly evenly divided on the issue.

“In short, the survey in its totality concludes a very short margin of difference, and the community is split on this topic,” the report reads in the introduction to the phone poll.

That poll of over 300 registered voters found 32% as “very supportive” of medical marijuana in the city and 30% “very unsupportive.”

Nearly half of those who answered that they were supportive were in favor because of the health benefits for patients. Another 13% were supportive because of new jobs.

Nearly half of those against medical marijuana cited concerns about safety and crime.

The telephone survey attempted to match the city demographically. Over 80% of the respondents reported 10 or more years of residency in the city.

The online survey, though not scientific, had a heavier number of respondents in favor of the zoning change. 63 percent answered they were “very supportive” with only 24% saying they were “very unsupportive.”

A final report has yet to be issued and the results note that what is presented is raw data.

“The raw data shows a slight positive response; however, there is also a slight negative response regarding what the topic will do to the quality of life,” the report reads. “The analysis and report of the survey will be subsequent to this report, and no certain conclusions should be made based on just the raw data, but the data is informative and relevant nonetheless.”